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Trip from Elba, MI to Clinton Township, MI

Data updated 0 seconds ago

Drive Time

1h 15m

Distance

56.9 mi

91 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$9

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 18 min
4 AM
1h 9m ★
6 AM
1h 15m
8 AM
1h 27m
10 AM
1h 19m
12 PM
1h 18m
3 PM
1h 20m
5 PM
1h 26m
8 PM
1h 12m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Mediterranean island in Tuscany, Italy

Elba, MI

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Clinton Township, MI, MI

Clinton Township, MI

fish socks

Trip Overview

This 56.9-mile drive from Elba to Clinton Township, Michigan, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Designed as a single-day adventure, it's perfect for a quick getaway within the Midwest region. You'll navigate primarily using Van Dyke Road and I-69, with Hall Road also playing a role. The estimated fuel cost is around $9, making it an economical choice. This route offers a mixed driving experience, suitable for those looking for a blend of highway speeds and local road navigation without needing an overnight stay.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

0 planned breaks

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

28.4 miles from Elba, MI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 35m into the drive .

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Drive Character

Expect a mixed drive on this route, with 33% of it being highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 26.1 miles on Van Dyke Road, offering a chance to settle into a rhythm. As you transition between Van Dyke Road, I-69, and Hall Road, the driving experience will vary, moving from potentially faster highway sections to more local road conditions. This blend means you won't be stuck in a monotonous interstate grind, but rather experience a dynamic journey through Michigan's landscape.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Van Dyke Road is the longest continuous segment at about 26.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.6 miles in.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 56.9 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 1.6 miles: Navigation decision point; at 20.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 48.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
1.6 mi into trip | ~3m in

Take the ramp toward Elba Road

Navigation decision point

Toward Elba Road
6
20.8 mi into trip | ~23m in

Take the exit toward M 53: Imlay City, Almont

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 168 Toward M 53: Imlay City, Almont
8
48.2 mi into trip | ~59m in

Take the exit toward M 59: Mount Clemens, Pontiac

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 17 Toward M 59: Mount Clemens, Pontiac
6
52.6 mi into trip | ~1h 7m in | Romeo Plank Road

Turn right onto Romeo Plank Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
6
55.4 mi into trip | ~1h 11m in | Moravian Drive

Turn right onto Moravian Drive

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Elba, MI and Clinton Township, MI, road signs point toward M 53: Imlay City, Almont, M 59: Mount Clemens and Pontiac.

M 53: Imlay City

20.8 mi in | ~23m

Almont

20.8 mi in | ~23m

M 59: Mount Clemens

48.2 mi in | ~59m

Pontiac

48.2 mi in | ~59m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Van Dyke Road 26.1 mi 32m
I 69 18.8 mi 18m
Hall Road 4 mi 6m
Cass Avenue 1.6 mi 2m
South Elba Road 1.6 mi 3m
Romeo Plank Road 1.2 mi 1m
Moravian Drive 1.2 mi 2m
North Main Street 0.9 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Van Dyke Road — 26.1 mi, about 32m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Elba, MI and Clinton Township, MI.

1

Start on South Elba Road

1.6 mi · 3 min · South Elba Road
2

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 44 sec
Toward Elba Road
3

Merge onto I 69

19 mi · 18 min · I 69
4

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 168 Toward M 53: Imlay City, Almont
5

Turn right onto M 53

5.4 mi · 7 min · Van Dyke Road
Use the right lane.
6

Turn right onto M 53

0.9 mi · 1 min · North Main Street
7

Continue on M 53

21 mi · 25 min · Van Dyke Road
Use the straight lane.
8

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 55 sec
Exit 17 Toward M 59: Mount Clemens, Pontiac Use the slight right lane.
9

Merge onto M 59

4.0 mi · 6 min · Hall Road
Use the left lane.
10

Turn right onto Romeo Plank Road

1.0 mi · 1 min · Romeo Plank Road
Use the right lane.
11

Enter roundabout onto Romeo Plank Road

112 ft · 2 sec · Romeo Plank Road
12

Continue on Romeo Plank Road

0.1 mi · 11 sec · Romeo Plank Road
13

Enter roundabout onto Cass Avenue

123 ft · 2 sec · Cass Avenue
14

Continue on Cass Avenue

1.6 mi · 2 min · Cass Avenue
15

Turn right onto Moravian Drive

1.2 mi · 2 min · Moravian Drive
Use the straight lane.
16

Turn right onto White Oaks Drive

0.2 mi · 52 sec · White Oaks Drive
17

Turn right onto Red Oaks Drive

289 ft · 12 sec · Red Oaks Drive
18

Arrive at destination

Red Oaks Drive

Trip Plan

With a total duration of just over an hour, this trip offers great flexibility. You can depart anytime, but consider leaving in the morning to avoid potential afternoon traffic on I-69 or Hall Road. Since there are no specific recommended stops, plan your own breaks as needed, perhaps after the longest 26.1-mile stretch on Van Dyke Road. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially if you're starting with less than a full tank, as the estimated fuel cost is $9. This short drive allows for a relaxed pace, so don't feel rushed to reach Clinton Township.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 28.4 miles from Elba, MI, or about 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 26.1 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 56.9 miles or 1h 15m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 28.4 miles or 35m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 59m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clinton Township, MI than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Elba, MI so your first major turns are already loaded.

+

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

+

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Elba, MI

This is one driving day of about 56.9 miles and 1h 15m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Elba, MI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Van Dyke Road for about 26.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 28.4 mi from Elba, MI · 35m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Detroit, MI

28 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Popular next leg

Detroit, MI to Clinton Township, MI

25.3 mi · 39m

Pacing Suggestions

Toledo, OH

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 56.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Detroit, MI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 28.4 miles from Elba, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Clinton Township, MI

The final approach into Clinton Township, MI usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Clinton Township, MI.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$8.90 one way

$17.79 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 20 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $9.77 $19.53
premium $4.89 $10.95 $21.90
diesel $5.61 $12.56 $25.13

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$9

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$34–$59

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 19.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 17.1 0 $5.97 $2.73
Efficient EV 14.2 0 $4.98 $2.28
EV Truck/SUV 22.8 0 $7.97 $3.64

Gas CO2

20 kg

EV CO2

7 kg (65% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast data refreshed 5 days ago

Origin

Elba, MI

Night in Elba on Tuesday

Local time

10:48 PM

EDT

Current temp

70°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Clinton Township, MI

Night in Clinton Township on Tuesday

Local time

10:48 PM

EDT

Current temp

48°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

22 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

1h 15m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Elba, MI to Clinton Township, MI covers 56.9 miles and takes about 1h 15m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Van Dyke Road, I 69, Hall Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 28.4 miles from Elba, MI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.90 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 56.9 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.6 miles: Navigation decision point; at 20.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 48.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Elba, MI and Clinton Township, MI, road signs point toward M 53: Imlay City, Almont, M 59: Mount Clemens and Pontiac.

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Return Trip

Clinton Township, MI to Elba, MI

Plan the drive back the other way.

57 mi 1h 14m

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